1 February - Imbolc and Elsewhere

Today is Imbolc, a Celtic fest day roughly halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox. It's a point along the wheel of the year when the return of the light is celebrated. The promise of a Spring reawakening and all that. It's also known in certain circles as Candlemas or St. Brigid's Day. It is a day marking optimism in the face of difficult circumstances. Long ago, this may simply have meant the natural challenges of Winter itself. But these days, it could be anything.